Patient and family engagement in infection prevention in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: defining a consensus framework using the Q methodology – NOSO-COVID study protocol

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare-associated infections are an important patient safety concern, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection prevention and control implemented in healthcare settings are largely focused on the practices of healthcare professionals. Patient and family engagement is also recognised as an important patient safety strategy. The extent to which patients and families can be engaged, their specific roles and the strategies that support their engagement in infection prevention remain unclear. The overarching objective of the proposed study is to explore how patients and families can effectively be engaged in infection prevention by developing a consensus framework with key stakeholders. DESIGN AND METHODS: The proposed study is based on a cross-sectional exploratory study at one of the largest university hospitals in North America (Montreal, Canada). The targeted population is all healthcare professionals, managers and other non-clinical staff members who work on clinical units, and the in-patients and their families. The study is based on Q methodology that takes advantage of both quantitative and qualitative methods to identify the consensus among the various stakeholders. This exploratory Q research approach will provide a structured way to elicit the stakeholders’ perspectives on patient and family engagement in infection prevention. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The research ethics board approved this study. The research team plans to disseminate the findings through different channels of communication targeting healthcare professionals, managers in healthcare settings, and patients and family caregivers. The findings will also be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals in healthcare management and in quality and safety improvement.